A 474 03 (2013)

Designation: A474 − 03 (Reapproved 2013)

Standard Specification for

Aluminum-Coated Steel Wire Strand1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A474; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

4.1.2 Nominal strand diameter (size), number of wires,
grade, and minimum breaking strength of strand (Section 8 and
Table 1).
4.1.3 Length of strand in coils or on reels (Section 19).

1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers five grades of aluminumcoated, steel wire strand, composed of a number of round, steel
wires, with aluminum coatings, for use as guys, messengers,
span wires, and for similar purposes.

5. Material and Manufacture

1.2 The five grades covered are as follows:
1.2.1 Utilities,
1.2.2 Common,
1.2.3 Siemens-Martin,
1.2.4 High-Strength, and
1.2.5 Extra High-Strength.

5.1 The base metal shall be steel made any commercially
accepted steel making process and of such quality and purity
that, when drawn to the size of wire specified and coated with

aluminum, the finished strand and the individual wires shall be
of uniform quality and have the properties and characteristics
as prescribed in this specification.

1.3 Minimum breaking strengths of strand for each grade
are specified in Table 1.

5.2 The ingot or pig aluminum used for coating shall
conform to the following impurity limits: copper, maximum,
%, 0.10, and iron, maximum, %, 0.50.

1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.

6. Stranding
6.1 Unless otherwise specified, 3-wire strand shall have a
left lay with a uniform pitch of not less than 10 nor more than
16 times the nominal diameter of the strand. Seven-wire strand
shall have a left lay with a uniform pitch of not more than 16
times the nominal diameter of the strand. A left lay is defined
as a counter-clockwise twist away from the observer. All wires
shall be stranded with uniform tension. Stranding shall be
sufficiently close to ensure no appreciable reduction in diameter when stressed to 10% of the specified strength.

2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
A428/A428M Test Method for Weight [Mass] of Coating on
Aluminum-Coated Iron or Steel Articles

3. Description of Strand
3.1 The designation of the finished strand shall be expressed
as the nominal diameter of the strand, the number of the wires
in the strand, and the grade of the strand as prescribed in Table
1.

6.2 All wires in the strand shall lie naturally in their true
positions in the completed strand, and when the strand is cut,
the ends shall remain in position or be readily replaced by hand
and then remain in position. This may be accomplished by any
means or process, such as preforming, post forming, or form
setting.

4. Ordering Information
4.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
the following information:
4.1.1 Quantity of strand in feet.

7. Joints and Splices
7.1 There shall be no strand joints or strand splices in any
length of the completed strand unless specifically permitted by
the purchaser.

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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A05 on
Metallic-Coated Iron and Steel Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A05.12 on Wire Specifications.
Current edition approved April 1, 2013. Published April 2013. Originally
approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as A474 – 03(2008).
DOI: 10.1520/A0474-03R13.

2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.

7.2 In 3-wire strand, there shall be no joints in individual
wires. In 7-wire strand, joints in individual wires shall be
acceptable provided there is not more than one joint in any
150-ft (46-m) section of the completed strand and the location
of each wire joint is marked on the strand with paint or some
other distinguishing mark.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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A474 − 03 (2013)
TABLE 1 Physical Properties of Aluminum-Coated Steel Wire Strand
Nominal
Diameter
of Strand,
in. (mm)
⁄
⁄

3 16
3 16

⁄
⁄
1 ⁄4
9⁄32
5⁄16
5⁄16
5⁄16
3 ⁄8
3 ⁄8
7⁄16
1 ⁄2
14
14

Number
of Wires
in
Strand

(4.76)
(4.76)
(6.35)
(6.35)
(6.35)
(7.14)
(7.94)
(7.94)
(7.94)
(9.52)
(9.52)

(11.11)
(12.7)

7
7
3
3
7
7
3
7
7
3
7
7
7

Nominal
Diameter
of Coated
Wires in
Strand, in.
(mm)
0.062
0.065
0.120
0.120
0.080
0.093
0.145

0.104
0.109
0.165
0.120
0.145
0.165

(1.57)
(1.65)
(3.05)
(3.05)
(2.03)
(2.36)
(3.68)
(2.64)
(2.77)
(4.19)
(3.05)
(3.68)
(4.19)

Approximate
Weight of
Strand,
lb/1000 ft
(kg/m)
73 (0.108)
80 (0.118)
117 (0.173)
117 (0.173)

121 (0.179)
164 (0.243)
171 (0.253)
205 (0.303)
225 (0.333)
220 (0.326)
273 (0.404)
399 (0.591)
517 (0.765)

Minimum Breaking Strength of Strand, lbf (kN)

...
2 400
3 150
4 500
...
4 600
6 500
...
6 000
8 500
11 500
18 000
25 000

SiemensMartin
Grade

Common

Grade

Utilities GradeA
...
(10.7) (1)B
(14.0) (2)
(20.0) (3)
...
(20.5) (1)
(28.9) (3)
...
(26.7) (1)
(37.8) (3)
(51.2) (4)
(80.1) (4)
(111.2) (4)

1 150
...
...
...
1 900
...
...
3 200
...
...
4 250
5 700
7 400

(5.1)
...
...
...
(8.5)
...
...
(14.2)
...
...
(18.9)
(25.4)
(32.9)

1 900
...
...
...
3 150
...
...
5 350
...
...
6 950
9 350
12 100

(8.5)

...
...
...
(14.0)
...
...
(23.8)
...
...
(30.9)
(41.6)
(53.8)

HighStrength
Grade
2 850
...
...
...
4 750
...
...
8 000
...
...
10 800
14 500
18 800

Extra-HighStrength

Grade

(12.7)
...
...
...
(21.1)
...
...
(35.6)
...
...
(48.0)
(64.5)
(83.6)

...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
6 650 (29.6)
...
...
...
...
11 200 (49.8)

...
...
...
...
15 400 (68.5)
20 800 (92.5)
26 900 (119.7)

A

The utilities grade is used principally by communication and power and light industries.
The last numbers in parentheses refer to elongation requirements specified in Section 9.

B

7.3 Joints in the wires composing the strand shall be of the
electric-butt-welded type. Care shall be taken to prevent injury
to the wire during electric-butt-welding. All joints shall be well
made and shall have protection from corrosion equivalent to
that of the aluminum-coated wire itself.

required minimum breaking strength of the strand. The elongation values shall be recorded only for specimens that break
over 1 in. from the jaws of the testing machine. Additional
samples shall be taken from the same coil or reel when the
previous tests are to be disregarded.

8. Breaking Strength and Weight

9.3 Elongation tests shall be made on lengths of strand that
do not contain wire joints or splices.

8.1 The minimum breaking strength of the finished strand
shall be as specified in Table 1 and the approximate weight per
1000 ft or 305 m of strand shall be as indicated in Table 1.

10. Dimensions and Permissible Variations of Wires
10.1 The diameter of the aluminum-coated wire forming the
strand specified in Table 1 shall be within the limits prescribed
in Table 3.

8.2 A test in which the breaking strength is below the
minimum specified and which may have been caused by the
slipping of the specimen in the jaws of the testing machine, by
breaking within the jaws or within 1 in. (25 mm) of the jaws,
or by the improper socketing of a specimen shall be disregarded and another sample from the same coil or reel shall be
tested. Tests shall be made on lengths of strand that do not
contain wire joints or splices.

TABLE 3 Permissible Variations in Diameter of Aluminum-Coated
WiresA
Nominal Diameter of Coated Wires in
the Strand, in. (mm)
0.061 to 0.090 (1.55 to 2.29)
0.091 to 0.120 (2.31 to 3.05)
0.121 and over (3.07 and over)

9. Elongation
9.1 The elongation of the strand in 24 in. (610 mm) shall be
not less than that specified in Table 2.

11. Sampling
11.1 Perform sampling for determination of compliance to
this specification on each lot of material. A lot shall consist of
all the strand of one size and one grade in each shipment. The
number of samples to be taken shall be as follows:

TABLE 2 Elongation Requirements for Grades of Strand

Utilities
Utilities
Utilities
Utilities

(1)A
(2)A
(3)A
(4)A

and
and
and
and

common strand
Siemens-Martin
high-strength
extra-high-strength

0.003 (0.08)
0.004 (0.10)

0.005 (0.13)

A
It is recognized that the surface of aluminum coatings, particularly those
produced by hot dipping, is not perfectly smooth and devoid of irregularities. If the
tolerances shown in this table are rigidly applied to such irregularities that are
inherent to the product, unjustified rejections of wire that would actually be
satisfactory for use could occur. Therefore, it is intended that these tolerances be
used in gaging the uniform areas of the aluminum-coated wire.

9.2 The elongation shall be determined as the percent
increase in separation between the jaws of the testing machine
from the position after application of the initial load to the
position at the initial failure in the test specimen. The separation of the jaws of the testing machine shall be approximately
2 ft (0.61 m) when under an initial load equal to 10 % of the

Grade of Strand

Permissible Variations,
plus and minus,
in. (mm)

Elongation in 24
in. or 610 mm,
min, %
10
8
5
4

5000 ft (1525 m) or less
Over 5000 to 30 000 ft (1525 to 9145 m)
Over 30 000 to 150 000 ft (9145 to 45 720 m)
Over 150 000 ft (45 720 m)

A

See Table 1, Footnote B.

2

Number of
Samples
1
2
3
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A474 − 03 (2013)
11.2 Each sample taken shall be subjected to all tests
prescribed in this specification.

grade strand, shall be equal to three times the nominal diameter
of the individual wires of the strand.

12. Weight of Coating

16. Finish
16.1 The aluminum-coated wire shall be free of imperfections not consistent with good commercial practice. The

coating shall be continuous and reasonably uniform.

12.1 The weight of aluminum coating, in ounces per square
foot or kilograms per square metre, of uncoated wire surface,
on any individual wire of the completed strand shall be not less
than that specified in Table 4.

17. Inspection
17.1 The manufacturer shall afford the inspector representing the purchaser all reasonable facilities, without charge, to
satisfy him that the material is being furnished in accordance
with this specification. All tests and inspection shall be made at
the place of manufacture prior to shipment, unless otherwise
specified, and shall be so conducted as not to interfere
unnecessarily with the operation of the works.

13. Tests of Coating
13.1 Determine the weight of the aluminum coating in
accordance with Test Method A428/A428M.
14. Adherence of Coating
14.1 The aluminum-coated wire shall be capable of being
wrapped at a rate not exceeding 15 turns per minute in a close
helix of at least two turns around a cylindrical mandrel equal to
three times the nominal diameter of the wire under test, without
cracking or flaking the aluminum coating to such an extent that
any aluminum can be removed by rubbing with the bare
fingers. Loosening or detachment during the adhesion test of
superficial, small particles of aluminum formed by mechanical
polishing of the surface of aluminum-coated wire shall not be
considered cause for rejection.

18. Rejection
18.1 If the wire or strand fails in the first test to meet any
requirement of this specification, two additional tests shall be
made on samples of wire or strand from the same coil or reel.
If failure occurs in either of these tests, the lot of wire or strand
shall be rejected.
19. Packaging and Marking
19.1 Wire strand shall be furnished in standard lengths,
(19.1.1) and in compact coils or on reels (19.1.2) as specified
by the purchaser; otherwise lengths shall be as agreed upon at
the time of purchase. Only one length of strand shall be
furnished in each coil or on each reel. Lengths of strand may
vary between the standard (nominal) length and 10 % over the
standard (nominal) length, unless otherwise specified by the
purchaser.
19.1.1 Standard lengths of strand are as follows: 250, 500,
1000, 2500, and 5000 ft (75, 150, 305, 760, and 1525 m).
19.1.2 Standard practice is to furnish all strand 7⁄16 in. (11.11
mm) and over in diameter on reels in lengths of 1000 ft and
over. Strand lengths of less than 1000 ft are regularly furnished
in coils.
19.2 Each coil or reel shall have a strong weather-resistant
tag securely fastened to it showing the length, nominal
diameter, number of wires, grade of the strand, ASTM designation A474, and the name or mark of the manufacturer. If
additional information is required on the tag, it shall be so
specified at the time of purchase.

15. Ductility of Steel
15.1 The individual wires of the completed strand shall not
fracture when wrapped at a rate not exceeding 15 turns per

minute in a close helix of at least two turns around a cylindrical
mandrel. The mandrel diameter for testing common- and
Siemens-Martin-grade strand shall be equal to the nominal
diameter of the individual wires of the strand. The mandrel
diameter for utilities, high-strength, and extra-high-strength
TABLE 4 Nominal Diameters and Minimum Weights of Coating
for Aluminum-Coated Steel Wires
Nominal Diameter of Coated
Wire in the Strand, in. (mm)
0.062
0.065
0.080
0.093
0.104
0.109
0.120
0.145
0.165

(1.57)
(1.65)
(2.03)
(2.36)
(2.64)
(2.77)
(3.05)
(3.68)
(4.19)

Minimum Weight of Aluminum Coating, oz/ft2 (g/m2)

of Uncoated Wire Surface
0.30
0.30
0.30
0.32
0.32
0.35
0.35
0.35
0.40

(92)
(92)
(92)
(98)
(98)
(107)
(107)
(107)
(122)

20. Keywords
20.1 aluminum-coated steel wire strand; wire strand

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A474 − 03 (2013)
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